Though she had some thoughts about it, they were minimal. Si Nian didn't believe she was at the point of loving him to the extreme. She was a mature woman and knew how to handle her emotions.

After getting on the bicycle, she told Zhou Yue Shen about the invitation from the Si family to attend the wedding, as well as the situation with Lin Sisi and Liu Dongdong.

Zhou Yue Shen had no objections. He didn't view the Si family or Lin Sisi with much regard, so hearing about Lin Sisi's wedding didn't seem strange to him. However, the Si family, who had previously looked down on them, was now specifically inviting them, which likely had more to it than met the eye.

He said in a deep voice, "Don't place too much trust in your adoptive father. Even though he gave you money, it doesn't necessarily mean he has your best interests at heart."

Zhou Yue Shen was concerned that Si Father's money might lead Si Nian to misinterpret the Si family's feelings toward her. Although he hadn't interacted much with the Si family, he could sense something off about them from their few encounters. They were too concerned with appearances, too selfish, and too snobbish. If they truly cared about Si Nian, they wouldn't have been willing to marry her off to him.

Si Nian was clear about the Si family's true nature. Hearing this, she smiled and said, "Do you think I'm that naive?"

Initially, she had neither positive nor negative feelings toward the Si family. She never intended to get entangled with them. But it seemed the Si family and Lin Sisi were not planning to let her go easily. So Si Nian decided that if they were always trying to make things difficult for her, why should she be polite? That's why she kept managing to extract money from the appearance-conscious Si Father.

Si Father thought he had her under control, but who was the real fool remained to be seen.

Zhou Yue Shen looked at her expression and smiled slightly. "As long as you're confident, that's good." With that, he felt relieved.

However, he found it strange that someone as intelligent as Si Nian would end up marrying him. Zhou Yue Shen's dark eyes showed a hint of puzzlement.

The two of them returned home together. Zhou Ze Han was crouching at the doorstep, washing clothes against the setting sun. His small hands were diligently scrubbing his clothes with great focus.

Since their previous clothes were too dirty to clean properly, Si Nian had bought them a lot of new clothes. Now they washed their clothes every two days. The little one took good care of his belongings.

Yao Yao's clothes, which she changed out of daily, were also washed by the two kids.

Si Nian looked at the children and suddenly felt there was nothing to be dissatisfied about.

"Mommy!" Zhou Ze Han saw her coming back, shook the foam on his hands, and ran over. "How is grandma? Is grandma better?"

He furrowed his small brows with worry.

Si Nian reached out to pat his little head. "Grandma is fine. She'll be better in a few days."

"Have you finished your homework?"

"Finished! I'll go get it for you to see."

He turned around and ran back into the room, pulling out his workbook and handing it to Si Nian. Then he stood with his hands behind his back, shaking his head and swaying, "Today, Mom made me memorize twenty words, and I've learned them all. I'll recite them for you."

"Hello, Hi, howdy, Hey, good morning."

Si Nian glanced at the workbook. The words were all correct, though the little one's handwriting was still awkward and unrefined.

She decided to get a few calligraphy books for the kids to practice writing!

Thinking about writing, she remembered that Zhou Yue Shen's handwriting was quite nice. Had the old man studied before?

She tilted her head and glanced at Zhou Yue Shen, who was watching Zhou Ze Han with a raised eyebrow. He seemed to be satisfied with the little boy's work. She asked, "Zhou Yue Shen, do you know English?"

Zhou Yue Shen paused and looked at her. "I know a bit."

Si Nian was even more surprised. It seemed this man had many secrets she hadn't uncovered yet.

But there was no rush. Si Nian turned her gaze back to the little one eagerly waiting for praise.

"Xiao Han is really great. You can also check your dad's homework in the future."

Zhou Ze Han glanced at his illiterate dad and nodded. "Got it, Mom."

He then looked up at her with sparkling eyes.

Si Nian immediately took out the wrapped sugar figurines from the bicycle basket. Although the temperature wasn't high in the afternoon, they had started to melt a little. But it didn't matter. She handed the figurine to the wide-eyed Zhou Ze Han and said, "This is a reward. You can have it."

Zhou Ze Han reached out and took it, swallowing his saliva. "I know, this is a sugar figurine! I saw my classmates eating it before! They said it's really sweet!"

Zhou Ze Han furrowed his little brows in distress and said to Si Nian, "Mom, I don't want to eat it. Can I keep it forever?"

"No, it will melt soon."

Zhou Ze Han was immediately disappointed. "But my teeth are not good. Mom said eating too much candy will cause cavities, and I'm afraid of getting cavities."

His pretty little teeth had already fallen out. The dentist said that if he avoided candy, he would grow more beautiful teeth. He had seen it—kids in his class who were losing their teeth had yellowed, crooked teeth with cavities.

He didn't want to end up like that!

His older brother's teeth were straight because they couldn't afford candy when they were younger. Zhou Ze Han believed that his brother's good teeth were because they never ate candy.

So he had already started to cut back on sugar. But this was a gift from Mom, and Zhou Ze Han was feeling conflicted.

Si Nian shook her head. "It's okay to have it occasionally. If you're really worried, just brush your teeth after eating it."

Hearing this, Zhou Ze Han's eyes lit up.

"Yay~ Mom is so nice~ Mom, bend down and let me tell you something."

He suddenly said, bashfully.

Si Nian bent down, asking, "What is it?"

Zhou Ze Han quickly stood on tiptoe and gave Si Nian a kiss on the cheek (right in front of his dad). After kissing her, his face turned red as he hugged the sugar figurine and ran away.

He ran fast, like a little airplane.

Si Nian straightened up with a smile, thinking what a shy and adorable little guy Zhou Ze Han was. But seeing his speed and his usual love for jumping around, she thought that perhaps a path in sports would be a good fit for him.

Although he had been studying hard recently because of her, it was clear that his interests didn't lie in academics. Given time, he might not be able to keep up with it. It would be better to cultivate some other hobbies for him.

While education is currently the only way out, there are many paths to success, and finding what suits him best is ideal.

She glanced over at Zhou Ze Dong, who was standing beside her, holding his younger sister and looking on with envy. Zhou Ze Dong was always quiet and reserved, standing in the corner with an expression that seemed to plead for attention, like a stray dog hoping to please passersby yet fearful of being rejected.

She waved him over. "Xiao Dong, bring your sister here."

Zhou Ze Dong's eyes lit up instantly. He held his sister tightly and quickly came over.

"Mom."

Si Nian picked up the sugar figurines she had prepared for the two children. "These are for you and your sister."

Zhou Ze Dong's eyelashes fluttered with emotion.

He thought that only his younger brother would get such treats, since his brother couldn't eat candy recently due to losing his teeth. He didn't expect that Mom would also get sugar figurines for him and his sister.

Zhou Ze Dong took the sugar figurine but felt a bit sad inside. He realized that he wasn't as favored by Mom as his younger brother, yet she treated them equally.

Since they returned late, they had leftovers for dinner from the previous day. Even leftover food in the countryside tastes good, as it has absorbed the flavors well. Just reheating it from the fridge makes it delicious.

Because it was too late and the kids had to get up early the next morning, they only ate a little. Si Nian also bought some fruit since eating meat every day can be too greasy, and getting vitamins is important.

In the morning, she would give the kids bananas and milk. For dinner, they had some grapes to taste. In the village, no one would waste such large, sweet, and juicy grapes. The kids were so pleased they didn't even spit out the skins and swallowed them. The sour and sweet taste was delightful.

Yao Yao loved grapes the most. The little girl could easily eat half a bunch on her own in no time. By the time Si Nian came downstairs after taking a shower, Zhou Yue Shen, who wasn't really aware of how to manage their daughter, had already let the child eat a large bunch of grapes.

Seeing the little girl's belly bulging and her hand reaching for more grapes, Si Nian quickly intervened: "That's enough, Yao Yao. You can't eat so many; it'll make your tummy hurt."

Fortunately, Yao Yao was obedient and not the type to throw tantrums over food. She gazed longingly at the grapes, then at Si Nian. Seeing her firm look, she complied and reached out her little hands for a hug.

Si Nian patted the little one's head, picked her up, and turned to see Zhou Yue Shen looking at her. She scolded him, "Next time, keep an eye on this. It's late at night; kids shouldn't eat so much. They're prone to upset stomachs."

Zhou Yue Shen looked at the few grapes left on the plate. He had planned to wait until Yao Yao finished eating before picking her up. Seeing how much she liked the grapes, he hadn't said anything. Hearing Si Nian's words, he realized his mistake and sheepishly rubbed his nose.

"Sorry."

Indeed, this man knew nothing about raising children. It seemed the kids had grown up well despite his lack of knowledge. Si Nian gave him a resigned look.

When Zhou Ze Han, who had already reached out to grab a grape, heard Si Nian's words, he immediately withdrew his hand. He stood up straight and said, "Mom, I only ate eight or nine grapes tonight. I won't be as greedy as my little sister."

Yao Yao looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Si Nian pinched his little face and said, "You're so thoughtful, Xiao Han. It's getting late, so hurry and go to bed."

Zhou Ze Han raised his little face and said, "I still need to brush my teeth, wash my face, and wash my feet before I go to sleep."

Si Nian was amused by his serious expression.

"Okay," she said.

Zhou Ze Dong came in after brushing his teeth. Hearing his younger brother's words, he paused for a moment before going back out.

When Zhou Ze Han, who was overjoyed by his mother's praise, walked out, he saw his older brother washing his face.

"Brother, don't use all the water. I need to wash too," he said, rushing over.

Si Nian carried Yao Yao back to the room.

She could still vaguely hear the voices of the two children downstairs.

Zhou Yue Shen followed her upstairs and opened the door. Si Nian was in the process of coaxing a lively Yao Yao to sleep.

He approached and said, "Let me handle this."

Si Nian didn't insist and passed Yao Yao over to Zhou Yue Shen. The little girl still had some weight, and with Si Nian's slender arms and legs, holding her for a while made her arms ache terribly.

She genuinely admired how strong mothers who take care of their children must be. Fortunately, Yao Yao could already walk, so Si Nian didn't have to hold her all the time. The two kids helped with Yao Yao, and Zhou Yue Shen mostly took care of her at home. Si Nian only needed to coax the little girl to sleep at night.

However, tonight Yao Yao seemed to have slept too much earlier, and she kept her eyes wide open. No matter how much her father tried to get her to sleep, she remained awake, occasionally pinching Zhou Yue Shen's face and hugging his neck.

After Zhou Yue Shen tried for a while without success, he decided to leave the task to the two brothers, Zhou Ze Dong and Zhou Ze Han. He took the child and headed out.

Si Nian, who was sitting at the vanity applying lotion to her face, immediately looked up and asked, "Where are you going?"

Zhou Yue Shen turned back to look at her. She was wearing a silk nightgown, her long black hair cascading down her back. The light reflected off her glossy, smooth hair, casting a halo effect. The soft glow made her bright eyes and eyebrows look gentle and stunning.

However, her expression was not very friendly.

Zhou Yue Shen looked at her for a moment and said in a deep voice, "The child can't sleep. I'm taking her to sleep with her brothers."

Si Nian continued to look at him and replied, "That's because you don't know how to coax her. Give her to me."

Zhou Yue Shen hesitated for a moment, then looked at her and said, "Zhou Ze Dong is about to sleep. Taking Yao Yao there now might disturb him."

Si Nian smiled and replied, "Who said we need to take her over there? Yao Yao will sleep here with me tonight."

Zhou Yue Shen: "..."

He had thought that the earlier incident was behind them, but now he realized it was only the beginning. Before he could react, Si Nian took Yao Yao from him. Seeing that the little one was still quite awake and noticing that the man was standing at the door, she ignored him and said, "I'll tell Yao Yao a story."

"Shall I tell you the story of Snow White?"

Si Nian had originally planned to tell a story about "Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf," but considering that it wasn't available in this era, she decided to switch to Snow White. She thought about how Zhou Yue Shen might react if this animated series ever came out in the future.

Her voice was crisp and pleasant, given her background as a broadcaster with standard and lovely Mandarin. Even Zhou Yue Shen found himself looking at her a bit longer. He decided to stay and sat down to the side.

The door wasn't fully closed, and Zhou Ze Dong, who had just come upstairs after washing his face and brushing his teeth, heard Si Nian's voice:

"Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"

He didn't immediately understand what was happening and ran over curiously to listen. He soon realized that his mom was telling a story to his little sister. Zhou Ze Dong felt envious and pressed his ear against the door to listen.

As Si Nian finished the story and the little one finally fell asleep, Zhou Yue Shen got up and opened the door, only to find his second son asleep at the door. The little guy had his hands clasped together, resting his face on the door with a look of contentment. Zhou Yue Shen's hand hesitated on the door.

Si Nian, noticing his lack of response, asked with some confusion, "What's wrong?"

Zhou Yue Shen glanced at his peacefully sleeping son, a mix of amusement and exasperation on his face. His voice was low as he replied, "Nothing."

He bent down, gently picked up his son, and closed the door behind him as he carried the child back to the room to sleep.

The night passed without incident.

Si Nian usually slept restlessly. It was only when Zhou Yue Shen held her that she didn't kick off the covers so easily. Tonight, with Yaoyao sleeping in the middle, she forgot about it and unconsciously rolled towards the man's embrace.

She was startled awake in an instant, only to find herself face to chest with Zhou Yue Shen. It seemed he hadn't woken up yet; as she moved closer, he instinctively wrapped her in his arms.

Si Nian was puzzled about where Yaoyao had gone, but Zhou Yue Shen's hands were already on her. His rough yet gentle hand first caressed her face, pulling her closer. His other hand, not content, slipped under her collar and rested on her chest, gently rubbing it.